People in western Japan got a rare look inside a U.S. military base on Monday.

The Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni opened its doors for Japan-US friendship day.

Visitors checked out fighter jets and the Osprey transport aircraft, whose safety record has been controversial in Japan.

Locals posed for pictures with pilots, and viewed construction on the base.

Iwakuni is being prepared for the arrival of an aircraft carrier to be based there in three years’ time.